August 19, 2025 • 18 mins
In Unmasking of Robert-Houdin, Harry Houdini embarks on a provocative journey to challenge the legacy of the man he once idolized, the esteemed magician Robert-Houdin. Initially inspired by Houdins brilliance, Houdini adopted his name, adding an i to pay homage. However, feeling slighted by the Robert-Houdin family, he penned this work as a means to dismantle their revered image. Ironically, Houdinis efforts to discredit his predecessor backfired, leading to unexpected revelations. Join us as we explore the intricate relationship between two of magics greatest figures. - Summary by Cavaet
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section ten of The Unmasking of Robert Houdin. This is
a LibriVox recording. All liberovox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
Recording by Caveat The Unmasking of Robert Houddin by Harry Houdini,
Chapter nine. The Disappearing Handkerchief, Supreme egotism and utter disregard
(00:26):
for the truth may be traced in all of Robert
Houddin's writings, but he reached a veritable climax when he
indicted chapter sixteen of his Memoirs. During the course of
this chapter he described the so called invention and first
production of the disappearing handkerchief trick. According to the American
edition of his memoirs, page three hundred three, he received
a command to appear before Louis Philippe and his family
(00:47):
at Saint Cloud in November eighteen forty six. During the
six days intervening between the official invitation and his appearance
before the royal family, he arranged a trick from which
he states he had every reason to expect excellent results.
On page three hundred and five, he goes even further
in his claims and announces all my tricks were favorably received,
(01:08):
and the one I had invented for the occasion gave
me unbounded applause. He then gives the following description of
the trick and its performance. I borrowed from my noble
spectators several handkerchiefs, which I made into a parcel and
laid on the table. Then, at my request, different persons
wrote on the cards the names of places whether they
desired the handkerchiefs to be invisibly transported. When this was done,
(01:32):
I begged the King to take three of the cards
at hazard and chose from them the place he might
consider most suitable. Let us see, Louis Philip said, what
this one says? I desire the handkerchief to be found
beneath one of the candelabra on the mantelpiece. That is
too easy for a sorcerer, So we will pass to
the next card. The handkerchiefs are to be transported to
(01:53):
the dome of the Invalids. That would suit me, But
it was much too far, not for the handkerchiefs but
for us, ah, the King added, looking at the last card,
I am afraid, Monsieur Robert Houdin, I am about to
embarrass you. Do you know what this card proposes? Will
your majesty deign to inform me? It is desired that
you should send the handkerchiefs into the chest of the
(02:15):
last orange tree on the right of the avenue. Only
that sire deign to order it, and I shall obey.
Very good. Then I should like to see such a
magic act. Therefore, choose the orange tree chest. The King
gave some orders in a low voice, and I directly
saw several persons run to the orange tree in order
to watch it and prevent my fraud. I was delighted
(02:37):
at this precaution, which must add to the effect of
my experiment, for the trick was already arranged, and the
precaution hence too late. I had now to send the
handkerchiefs on their travels. So they placed them beneath a
bell of opaque glass, and taking my wand I ordered
my invisible travelers to proceed to the spot the King
had chosen. I raised the bell, The little parcel was
(02:58):
no longer there, and a white turtle had taken its place.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
The King then.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Quickly walked to the door, whence he looked in the
direction of the orange tree to insure himself that the
guards were at their post. When this was done, he
began to smile and shrug his shoulders. Ah, Monsieur Robert Houdin,
he said, somewhat ironically, I much fear for the virtue
of your magic staff. Then, he added, as he returned
to the end of the room, where several servants were standing,
(03:23):
tell William to open immediately last chest at the avenue
and bring me carefully what he finds there if he
does find anything. William soon proceeded to the orange tree, and,
though much astonished at the orders given him, he began
to carry them out. He carefully removed one of the
side of the chest, thrust his hand in, and almost
touched the roots of the tree before he found anything.
(03:43):
All at once he uttered a cry of surprise as
he drew out of a small iron coffer eaten by rust.
This curious find, after having been cleaned from the mold,
was brought in and placed on a small ottoman by
the King's side. Well, Monsieur Robert Houdin, leuis, for they
said to me, with a movement of impatient curiosity, here
is a box. Am I to conclude to contain the handkerchiefs. Yes, sire,
(04:07):
I replied with assurance, and they have been there too
for a long period. How can that be? The handkerchiefs
were lent to you scarce a quarter an hour ago.
I cannot deny it, sire, But what would my magic
powers avail me if if I could not perform in
comprehensible tricks. Your Majesty will doubtless be still more surprised
when I proved your satisfaction that this coffer, as well
(04:28):
as its contents, were deposited in the chest of the
orange tree sixty years ago. I should like to believe
your statement, the king replied with a smile. But that
is impossible, and I must therefore ask for proofs of
your assertion. If your majesty will be kind enough to
open this cask, they will be supplied, certainly, But I
shall require a key for that. It only depends on yourself, sire,
(04:50):
to have one deign to remove it from the neck
of this turtle dove which has just brought it to you.
Louis philipp unfastened a ribbon that held a small rusty key,
with which he hastened to aler coffer The first thing
that caught the King's eye was a parchment on which
he read the following statement, This day, the sixth of
June seventeen eighty six, this iron box containing six handkerchiefs,
(05:11):
was placed among the roots of an orange tree by
me while Sarmo, Count of Cagliostro, to serve in performing
an act of magic, which will be executed on the
same day, sixty years hence before Louis Philippe of Orleans
and his family. There is decidedly witchcraft about this, the
King said, more and more amazed. Nothing is wanting for
(05:31):
the seal and signature of the celebrated sorcerer placed at
the foot of the statement, which Heaven, pardon me, smells
strongly of sulfur.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
At this jest, the audience began to laugh, but.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
The King added, taking out of the box a carefully
sealed packet, can the handkerchiefs by possibility be in this? Indeed, Sire,
they are. But before opening the parcel, I would request
your Majesty to notice that it also bears the impression
of Cagliostro's seal. This seal, once rendered so famous by
being placed on the celebrated alchemist's bottles of elixia and
(06:03):
liquid gold. I had obtained from Turini, who had been
an old friend of Cagliostro's. It is certainly the same,
the royal spectator answered, after comparing the two seals. Still
in his impatience to learn the contents of the parcel,
the King quickly tore open the envelope and soon displayed
before the astonished Specsupatos the six handkerchiefs, which a few
moments before were still.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
On the table.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
While the use of Cagliostro's seal really formed no part
of the trick, its possession by Robert Hudan goes to
show how indephatically he collected conjuring curios, and how Criokie
was to utilize any part of his collection and score
thereby a brilliant showing Cagliostro's seals were by no means rare.
This Prince of Charlatan had seals like adventures in great variety,
(06:48):
and in this connection it is not out of place
to tell something of Cagliostro, and thus explained why the
parchments bearing a seal created such a sensation as Saint Cloud.
Cagliostro had no match in the alley of magic. Though
not a conjury in the sense of being a public entertainer,
he yet mystified and bewitched his thousands. Something of a physician,
(07:09):
more of an alchemist, and altogether a charlatan. He left
behind him betrayal of brilliant chicanery, daring adventure, ignominious failure,
and undoing unequaled in the history of Europe. Cagliostro was
born Joseph Balsamo in Palermo, Italy, June eighth, seventeen forty three.
(07:30):
His parents were of humble circumstances, and he started his
career as a novice in the convent of ben Fretelli,
from which he was expelled for incorrigibility. Then he plunged
into a life of dissipation and cleverly planned, oftentimes brilliantly
executed crimes. He fled Palermo after forging theater tickets and
a will and Dupio goldsmith out of sixty pieces of gold.
(07:52):
At Messina, he fell in with an alchemist named Alphatos,
a man of some learning who spoke a variety of languages.
The two who adventurers, traveled in Egypt, and when Arthotos died.
Cagliostro went to Naples and Rome, where he married a
beautiful girdle maker and Seraphinia Feliciani. This woman shared both
his triumphs and his disgrace. In seventeen seventy six they
(08:15):
arrived in London, where he announced himself as the Count
di Cagliostro. This title was assumed the name was borrowed
from his mother's side of the house. Here, for the
first time, Cagliostro announced himself also a worker of miracles
or wonders. He exhibited two mysterious substances, Materia prima, with
which he transmuted all baser metals into gold, and Egyptian wine,
(08:39):
with which he claimed to prolong life his wife, who
was just past twenty. He declared more than sixty a
youthful appearance due to the use of the elixia. He
founded a Spiritus Egyptian writing connection with the Masonic Order,
which has now been recognized as a blot upon Masonic history,
and he claimed thousands of Masonic dupes all over the continent.
(08:59):
He he and his beautiful wife traveled, now healing the
poor for nothing, now duping the rich, but always living
in the most picturesque voluptuous fashion. He dipped into spiritualism
and mesmerism, but wherever he went his converts followed after.
In seventeen eighty nine, while in Rome, he was seized
by that invincible power, the Holy Inquisition, and was condemned
(09:21):
to death. Later, Popious sixth changed the sentence to life imprisonment.
Confinement made him more daring than ever. He asked for
a confessor, and when a caputurre monk was permitted entry's
cell in his capacity, Cagliostro endeavored to choke him and
escape in his robes. The monk fought for his life
so effectually that it was he and not Cagliostro who escaped.
(09:43):
Cagliostro was literally buried alive in a subterranean dungeon as
punishment for his final offense, and his wife immured herself
in a Roman convent, which he died in seventeen ninety
four in Paris. Perhaps Cagliostro enjoyed his greatest triumphs of Charlatanism.
This is not remarkable that the appearance of his seal
in the midst of Robert Houddin's trick should seem almost
(10:05):
uncanny to the royal family, but to return to the
disappearing handkerchief trick. Robert Houddin did not invent this trick.
It was presented by a number of conjurers before Robert
Hoddan was known in the world of magic. Robert Houddin
simply employed the trick familiar to both his predecessors and contemporaries,
and redressed it to tickle the fancy of his royal
(10:26):
patron in England. This trick was known among old conjurers
as the knee plus ultra of kabbalistic art. In eighteen
twenty six, one Monsieur Felix Testo, who claimed to be
a compatriot of Robert Hoddan's, presented the trick in the
British Provinces and one of his bills I am reproducing
because he showed that the trick he offered the provincial
Britons and the trick which Robert Hoddan offered the royal
(10:48):
family of Saint Cloud were identical. It also proved that
London had seen the trick and what London had seen. Paris,
including Robert Hoddan, had heard of a program used by
the celebrated mister Marriott, professor of recreative philosophy in eighteen
thirty one, contains word for word the announcement of the
trick used on Testo's bill, which goes to show that
(11:10):
a popular test was to have articles passed from the
Adelphia Theatre to the gun which was being watched by
a sentinel. February twenty second, eighteen thirty three founder mister
Jeffarini at the Royal Clarence Theatre, Liverpool Street, King's Cross, Liverpool,
he agreed to make an article fly at the rate
of five hundred miles an hour from King's Cross to
(11:31):
the center of Greece. The original buck featured on his
program a similar trick, which he called the loaf trick.
On a bill dated October twenty sixth, eighteen forty. It
is announced as follows watch and a loaf. The magician
will command any gentleman's watch to disappear. It will be
found in a loaf at any baker's shop in town.
(11:52):
The senior Ingleby changed the trick somewhat, sending out to
any market for a shoulder of mutton, which, on being
cut would yield a picard previously by some spectator. He
thus describes his trick in his book Whole Art of
Alledged Domain, published in London in eighteen fifteen. Trick four
to cut out of a shoulder of a mutton a
card which one of the company had previously drawn out
(12:14):
of the pack.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Having desired a person.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
To draw a card out of several which you hold
to him, and to remember it, which he promises to do,
you tell him it shall be in a shoulder of mutton,
which you will send for. Accordingly, you desire servants to
go to the butcher's and brig on. When brought it
is examined, and then order to be put down to roast.
After performing some tricks, you recollect the shoulder of mutton,
which is immediately brought half roasted, and after cutting it
(12:38):
for some time, you at length by the card and
produce it explanation. Having forced a card in one of
your company, your confederate has an opportunity, when the muttons
is said to be roasted, of conveying a thin duplicate
of the card folded into a narrow compass into the
fleshy part near the shank, which can be easily done
by means of a sharp pen knife. This trick, though
(13:00):
remarkably symbol has created universal astonishment at the minor theater,
where it is frequently exhibited by mister Ingleby the method
of performing the trick was so familiar to conjuryers of
Robert Hoddan's time and earlier that Henry Evans Evian was
able to describe it to me from actual witnessings. Acting
on his explanation, on my return to America, I offered
(13:21):
the trick without any great amount of preparation, without hitch,
at a matinee entertainment given by a secret organization. I
will describe procietly how this was done and allow my
readers to judge of the similarity of the trick offered
years ago by humble traveling magicians whose names have been
written most faintly in the annals of conjuring, and the
most waunted trick invented by Robert Houddan the entertainment of
(13:44):
his sovereign. The hall in which the matinee was given
was located in Harlem Borough of Manhattan, New York City,
and I had decided that the handkerchiefs were to make
the flying journey should be desired by someone present to
appear under the top step of the winding staircase in
the State of Liberty, which is located in New York Harbor.
This meant a half hour arrived from haul to the boat,
(14:06):
to a subway train, then a run across New York
Harbor to the statue. These boats left in dock on
the hour and half hour, so I tied my performance
to fill just half an hour, starting with some sleight
of hand, the egg backed trick and swaring a package
of needles and bringing them up threaded, which latter trick
was introduced into magical performances in Europe by KK Krauss
(14:26):
in eighteen sixteen. Just before three point thirty o'clock, I
borrowed three handkerchiefs and tied them together for easier handling.
I had three handkerchiefs similarly tied together under my vest,
and just at three point thirty I switched to two
sets of handkerchiefs, so that the handkerchiefs furnished by the
spectators were under my vest and the Bogus handkerchiefs in
(14:46):
my hand. First, I dropped the Bogu's handkerchiefs on the
table trap, picking up the opaid class cover with which
they were to be hidden, and by a carefully rehearsed
bit of careless dropped and broke it. Then, leaving the
bous handkerchiefs on the table trap, I stepped towards the wings,
apparently to secure another glass bell or cover. To all
intentsive purposes, I did not pass from the view of
(15:08):
the audience, for fully half of my body was on
the stage. But as my assistant handed me a new
glass cover, he definitely extracted the real handkerchiefs from under
my vest. Then, while I returned to the stage with
my patter and description of the flight, the handkerchiefs were
about to make, my assistant, with a handkerchiefs in his pocket,
walked unnoticed from the door, and once out of sight,
ran madly to the subway station. There he boarded an
(15:29):
express reached the boat, landing just in time to catch
the four o'clock boat. At the statue, my brother and
the tinsmith were waiting for him. The handkerchiefs were placed
in a tin box securely soldered, and then this box
was placed inside a second iron box, which was then locked.
The plant was then taken upstairs and hidden under the
top step. In the meantime, with my thoughts following my
assistant every step of his trip.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
I was playing out my end of my game.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
The audience was supplied with blank cards which they might
write the name of the place where the handkerchief should reappear. This,
of course took some time, and when the cards each
folded to hide the writing their arm were collected in
the hat, I shook them up thoroughly and turned them
out on to a plate, definitely adding on the top
three cards which I concealed in my hand. This was
slight of hand, purely, and I next picked out of
(16:14):
those three prepared cards on issue which was written, can
you send the handkerchiefs under the top step of the
statue of liberty? Explaining that I had in my hand
three cards chosen a hat hazard, I wished the filing
choice to be made by a disinterested party. A baby
was chosen to select the card. Naturally, I refused to
even take the slip of paper from the baby's hand,
and one of the lodge members read the question. Murmurs
(16:38):
of surprise and incredulity echoed from all over the hall.
The test was too difficult. I then announced that if
the audience would select its own committee, making sure to
pick up men who could not be bribed. I would
accompany them, and we would surely return with the handkerchiefs
sealed in a double boxes as found under the famous stairway.
As an elaborate course luncheon was to be served, the
(16:59):
committee had time to act, and away we went, leaving
the lodge to its feast. So much time had been
lost in selecting the committee that we reached the wharf
just in time to catch the five o'clock boat. On landing,
I received a pre arranged signal from my assistance that
all was well, and as I watched my committee dash
up the stairs, I knew that their quest would be rewarded.
(17:19):
When the committee and the writer returned to the lodge room,
a mechanic was required to pry open the box. There
lay the identical handkerchief furnished by my spectators, who could
hardly believe their eyes. On other occasions, I have asked
my audience to select the spokesman, who, in allowed voice
woul announced the point at which the handkerchiefs would be found.
And then my man, waiting just outside the door, would
(17:40):
mount his bicycle and pedal like mad for the hiding place. Naturally,
outstripping any committee appointed. But the first method, that of
selecting the place beforehand and having all arrangements made even
to the three prepared cards, is the safest and is
probably the one used by Robert Houdin to deceive the
French monarch. I doubt if he had three different card
prepared as he claims. I believe he exaggerated his feet,
(18:03):
for that would have been taking long chances.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
For this trick.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I claimed not an iota of originality. I simply fitted
it to the.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Time, the place, and the audience.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
And that I believe, as all Robert Hadan did when
he invented the spring handkerchief trick for the amusement of
his sovereign
Speaker 2 (18:23):
End of Section ten
Section ten of The Unmasking of Robert Houdin. This is
a LibriVox recording. All liberovox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
Recording by Caveat The Unmasking of Robert Houddin by Harry Houdini,
Chapter nine. The Disappearing Handkerchief, Supreme egotism and utter disregard
(00:26):
for the truth may be traced in all of Robert
Houddin's writings, but he reached a veritable climax when he
indicted chapter sixteen of his Memoirs. During the course of
this chapter he described the so called invention and first
production of the disappearing handkerchief trick. According to the American
edition of his memoirs, page three hundred three, he received
a command to appear before Louis Philippe and his family
(00:47):
at Saint Cloud in November eighteen forty six. During the
six days intervening between the official invitation and his appearance
before the royal family, he arranged a trick from which
he states he had every reason to expect excellent results.
On page three hundred and five, he goes even further
in his claims and announces all my tricks were favorably received,
(01:08):
and the one I had invented for the occasion gave
me unbounded applause. He then gives the following description of
the trick and its performance. I borrowed from my noble
spectators several handkerchiefs, which I made into a parcel and
laid on the table. Then, at my request, different persons
wrote on the cards the names of places whether they
desired the handkerchiefs to be invisibly transported. When this was done,
(01:32):
I begged the King to take three of the cards
at hazard and chose from them the place he might
consider most suitable. Let us see, Louis Philip said, what
this one says? I desire the handkerchief to be found
beneath one of the candelabra on the mantelpiece. That is
too easy for a sorcerer, So we will pass to
the next card. The handkerchiefs are to be transported to
(01:53):
the dome of the Invalids. That would suit me, But
it was much too far, not for the handkerchiefs but
for us, ah, the King added, looking at the last card,
I am afraid, Monsieur Robert Houdin, I am about to
embarrass you. Do you know what this card proposes? Will
your majesty deign to inform me? It is desired that
you should send the handkerchiefs into the chest of the
(02:15):
last orange tree on the right of the avenue. Only
that sire deign to order it, and I shall obey.
Very good. Then I should like to see such a
magic act. Therefore, choose the orange tree chest. The King
gave some orders in a low voice, and I directly
saw several persons run to the orange tree in order
to watch it and prevent my fraud. I was delighted
(02:37):
at this precaution, which must add to the effect of
my experiment, for the trick was already arranged, and the
precaution hence too late. I had now to send the
handkerchiefs on their travels. So they placed them beneath a
bell of opaque glass, and taking my wand I ordered
my invisible travelers to proceed to the spot the King
had chosen. I raised the bell, The little parcel was
(02:58):
no longer there, and a white turtle had taken its place.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
The King then.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Quickly walked to the door, whence he looked in the
direction of the orange tree to insure himself that the
guards were at their post. When this was done, he
began to smile and shrug his shoulders. Ah, Monsieur Robert Houdin,
he said, somewhat ironically, I much fear for the virtue
of your magic staff. Then, he added, as he returned
to the end of the room, where several servants were standing,
(03:23):
tell William to open immediately last chest at the avenue
and bring me carefully what he finds there if he
does find anything. William soon proceeded to the orange tree, and,
though much astonished at the orders given him, he began
to carry them out. He carefully removed one of the
side of the chest, thrust his hand in, and almost
touched the roots of the tree before he found anything.
(03:43):
All at once he uttered a cry of surprise as
he drew out of a small iron coffer eaten by rust.
This curious find, after having been cleaned from the mold,
was brought in and placed on a small ottoman by
the King's side. Well, Monsieur Robert Houdin, leuis, for they
said to me, with a movement of impatient curiosity, here
is a box. Am I to conclude to contain the handkerchiefs. Yes, sire,
(04:07):
I replied with assurance, and they have been there too
for a long period. How can that be? The handkerchiefs
were lent to you scarce a quarter an hour ago.
I cannot deny it, sire, But what would my magic
powers avail me if if I could not perform in
comprehensible tricks. Your Majesty will doubtless be still more surprised
when I proved your satisfaction that this coffer, as well
(04:28):
as its contents, were deposited in the chest of the
orange tree sixty years ago. I should like to believe
your statement, the king replied with a smile. But that
is impossible, and I must therefore ask for proofs of
your assertion. If your majesty will be kind enough to
open this cask, they will be supplied, certainly, But I
shall require a key for that. It only depends on yourself, sire,
(04:50):
to have one deign to remove it from the neck
of this turtle dove which has just brought it to you.
Louis philipp unfastened a ribbon that held a small rusty key,
with which he hastened to aler coffer The first thing
that caught the King's eye was a parchment on which
he read the following statement, This day, the sixth of
June seventeen eighty six, this iron box containing six handkerchiefs,
(05:11):
was placed among the roots of an orange tree by
me while Sarmo, Count of Cagliostro, to serve in performing
an act of magic, which will be executed on the
same day, sixty years hence before Louis Philippe of Orleans
and his family. There is decidedly witchcraft about this, the
King said, more and more amazed. Nothing is wanting for
(05:31):
the seal and signature of the celebrated sorcerer placed at
the foot of the statement, which Heaven, pardon me, smells
strongly of sulfur.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
At this jest, the audience began to laugh, but.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
The King added, taking out of the box a carefully
sealed packet, can the handkerchiefs by possibility be in this? Indeed, Sire,
they are. But before opening the parcel, I would request
your Majesty to notice that it also bears the impression
of Cagliostro's seal. This seal, once rendered so famous by
being placed on the celebrated alchemist's bottles of elixia and
(06:03):
liquid gold. I had obtained from Turini, who had been
an old friend of Cagliostro's. It is certainly the same,
the royal spectator answered, after comparing the two seals. Still
in his impatience to learn the contents of the parcel,
the King quickly tore open the envelope and soon displayed
before the astonished Specsupatos the six handkerchiefs, which a few
moments before were still.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
On the table.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
While the use of Cagliostro's seal really formed no part
of the trick, its possession by Robert Hudan goes to
show how indephatically he collected conjuring curios, and how Criokie
was to utilize any part of his collection and score
thereby a brilliant showing Cagliostro's seals were by no means rare.
This Prince of Charlatan had seals like adventures in great variety,
(06:48):
and in this connection it is not out of place
to tell something of Cagliostro, and thus explained why the
parchments bearing a seal created such a sensation as Saint Cloud.
Cagliostro had no match in the alley of magic. Though
not a conjury in the sense of being a public entertainer,
he yet mystified and bewitched his thousands. Something of a physician,
(07:09):
more of an alchemist, and altogether a charlatan. He left
behind him betrayal of brilliant chicanery, daring adventure, ignominious failure,
and undoing unequaled in the history of Europe. Cagliostro was
born Joseph Balsamo in Palermo, Italy, June eighth, seventeen forty three.
(07:30):
His parents were of humble circumstances, and he started his
career as a novice in the convent of ben Fretelli,
from which he was expelled for incorrigibility. Then he plunged
into a life of dissipation and cleverly planned, oftentimes brilliantly
executed crimes. He fled Palermo after forging theater tickets and
a will and Dupio goldsmith out of sixty pieces of gold.
(07:52):
At Messina, he fell in with an alchemist named Alphatos,
a man of some learning who spoke a variety of languages.
The two who adventurers, traveled in Egypt, and when Arthotos died.
Cagliostro went to Naples and Rome, where he married a
beautiful girdle maker and Seraphinia Feliciani. This woman shared both
his triumphs and his disgrace. In seventeen seventy six they
(08:15):
arrived in London, where he announced himself as the Count
di Cagliostro. This title was assumed the name was borrowed
from his mother's side of the house. Here, for the
first time, Cagliostro announced himself also a worker of miracles
or wonders. He exhibited two mysterious substances, Materia prima, with
which he transmuted all baser metals into gold, and Egyptian wine,
(08:39):
with which he claimed to prolong life his wife, who
was just past twenty. He declared more than sixty a
youthful appearance due to the use of the elixia. He
founded a Spiritus Egyptian writing connection with the Masonic Order,
which has now been recognized as a blot upon Masonic history,
and he claimed thousands of Masonic dupes all over the continent.
(08:59):
He he and his beautiful wife traveled, now healing the
poor for nothing, now duping the rich, but always living
in the most picturesque voluptuous fashion. He dipped into spiritualism
and mesmerism, but wherever he went his converts followed after.
In seventeen eighty nine, while in Rome, he was seized
by that invincible power, the Holy Inquisition, and was condemned
(09:21):
to death. Later, Popious sixth changed the sentence to life imprisonment.
Confinement made him more daring than ever. He asked for
a confessor, and when a caputurre monk was permitted entry's
cell in his capacity, Cagliostro endeavored to choke him and
escape in his robes. The monk fought for his life
so effectually that it was he and not Cagliostro who escaped.
(09:43):
Cagliostro was literally buried alive in a subterranean dungeon as
punishment for his final offense, and his wife immured herself
in a Roman convent, which he died in seventeen ninety
four in Paris. Perhaps Cagliostro enjoyed his greatest triumphs of Charlatanism.
This is not remarkable that the appearance of his seal
in the midst of Robert Houddin's trick should seem almost
(10:05):
uncanny to the royal family, but to return to the
disappearing handkerchief trick. Robert Houddin did not invent this trick.
It was presented by a number of conjurers before Robert
Hoddan was known in the world of magic. Robert Houddin
simply employed the trick familiar to both his predecessors and contemporaries,
and redressed it to tickle the fancy of his royal
(10:26):
patron in England. This trick was known among old conjurers
as the knee plus ultra of kabbalistic art. In eighteen
twenty six, one Monsieur Felix Testo, who claimed to be
a compatriot of Robert Hoddan's, presented the trick in the
British Provinces and one of his bills I am reproducing
because he showed that the trick he offered the provincial
Britons and the trick which Robert Hoddan offered the royal
(10:48):
family of Saint Cloud were identical. It also proved that
London had seen the trick and what London had seen. Paris,
including Robert Hoddan, had heard of a program used by
the celebrated mister Marriott, professor of recreative philosophy in eighteen
thirty one, contains word for word the announcement of the
trick used on Testo's bill, which goes to show that
(11:10):
a popular test was to have articles passed from the
Adelphia Theatre to the gun which was being watched by
a sentinel. February twenty second, eighteen thirty three founder mister
Jeffarini at the Royal Clarence Theatre, Liverpool Street, King's Cross, Liverpool,
he agreed to make an article fly at the rate
of five hundred miles an hour from King's Cross to
(11:31):
the center of Greece. The original buck featured on his
program a similar trick, which he called the loaf trick.
On a bill dated October twenty sixth, eighteen forty. It
is announced as follows watch and a loaf. The magician
will command any gentleman's watch to disappear. It will be
found in a loaf at any baker's shop in town.
(11:52):
The senior Ingleby changed the trick somewhat, sending out to
any market for a shoulder of mutton, which, on being
cut would yield a picard previously by some spectator. He
thus describes his trick in his book Whole Art of
Alledged Domain, published in London in eighteen fifteen. Trick four
to cut out of a shoulder of a mutton a
card which one of the company had previously drawn out
(12:14):
of the pack.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Having desired a person.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
To draw a card out of several which you hold
to him, and to remember it, which he promises to do,
you tell him it shall be in a shoulder of mutton,
which you will send for. Accordingly, you desire servants to
go to the butcher's and brig on. When brought it
is examined, and then order to be put down to roast.
After performing some tricks, you recollect the shoulder of mutton,
which is immediately brought half roasted, and after cutting it
(12:38):
for some time, you at length by the card and
produce it explanation. Having forced a card in one of
your company, your confederate has an opportunity, when the muttons
is said to be roasted, of conveying a thin duplicate
of the card folded into a narrow compass into the
fleshy part near the shank, which can be easily done
by means of a sharp pen knife. This trick, though
(13:00):
remarkably symbol has created universal astonishment at the minor theater,
where it is frequently exhibited by mister Ingleby the method
of performing the trick was so familiar to conjuryers of
Robert Hoddan's time and earlier that Henry Evans Evian was
able to describe it to me from actual witnessings. Acting
on his explanation, on my return to America, I offered
(13:21):
the trick without any great amount of preparation, without hitch,
at a matinee entertainment given by a secret organization. I
will describe procietly how this was done and allow my
readers to judge of the similarity of the trick offered
years ago by humble traveling magicians whose names have been
written most faintly in the annals of conjuring, and the
most waunted trick invented by Robert Houddan the entertainment of
(13:44):
his sovereign. The hall in which the matinee was given
was located in Harlem Borough of Manhattan, New York City,
and I had decided that the handkerchiefs were to make
the flying journey should be desired by someone present to
appear under the top step of the winding staircase in
the State of Liberty, which is located in New York Harbor.
This meant a half hour arrived from haul to the boat,
(14:06):
to a subway train, then a run across New York
Harbor to the statue. These boats left in dock on
the hour and half hour, so I tied my performance
to fill just half an hour, starting with some sleight
of hand, the egg backed trick and swaring a package
of needles and bringing them up threaded, which latter trick
was introduced into magical performances in Europe by KK Krauss
(14:26):
in eighteen sixteen. Just before three point thirty o'clock, I
borrowed three handkerchiefs and tied them together for easier handling.
I had three handkerchiefs similarly tied together under my vest,
and just at three point thirty I switched to two
sets of handkerchiefs, so that the handkerchiefs furnished by the
spectators were under my vest and the Bogus handkerchiefs in
(14:46):
my hand. First, I dropped the Bogu's handkerchiefs on the
table trap, picking up the opaid class cover with which
they were to be hidden, and by a carefully rehearsed
bit of careless dropped and broke it. Then, leaving the
bous handkerchiefs on the table trap, I stepped towards the wings,
apparently to secure another glass bell or cover. To all
intentsive purposes, I did not pass from the view of
(15:08):
the audience, for fully half of my body was on
the stage. But as my assistant handed me a new
glass cover, he definitely extracted the real handkerchiefs from under
my vest. Then, while I returned to the stage with
my patter and description of the flight, the handkerchiefs were
about to make, my assistant, with a handkerchiefs in his pocket,
walked unnoticed from the door, and once out of sight,
ran madly to the subway station. There he boarded an
(15:29):
express reached the boat, landing just in time to catch
the four o'clock boat. At the statue, my brother and
the tinsmith were waiting for him. The handkerchiefs were placed
in a tin box securely soldered, and then this box
was placed inside a second iron box, which was then locked.
The plant was then taken upstairs and hidden under the
top step. In the meantime, with my thoughts following my
assistant every step of his trip.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
I was playing out my end of my game.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
The audience was supplied with blank cards which they might
write the name of the place where the handkerchief should reappear. This,
of course took some time, and when the cards each
folded to hide the writing their arm were collected in
the hat, I shook them up thoroughly and turned them
out on to a plate, definitely adding on the top
three cards which I concealed in my hand. This was
slight of hand, purely, and I next picked out of
(16:14):
those three prepared cards on issue which was written, can
you send the handkerchiefs under the top step of the
statue of liberty? Explaining that I had in my hand
three cards chosen a hat hazard, I wished the filing
choice to be made by a disinterested party. A baby
was chosen to select the card. Naturally, I refused to
even take the slip of paper from the baby's hand,
and one of the lodge members read the question. Murmurs
(16:38):
of surprise and incredulity echoed from all over the hall.
The test was too difficult. I then announced that if
the audience would select its own committee, making sure to
pick up men who could not be bribed. I would
accompany them, and we would surely return with the handkerchiefs
sealed in a double boxes as found under the famous stairway.
As an elaborate course luncheon was to be served, the
(16:59):
committee had time to act, and away we went, leaving
the lodge to its feast. So much time had been
lost in selecting the committee that we reached the wharf
just in time to catch the five o'clock boat. On landing,
I received a pre arranged signal from my assistance that
all was well, and as I watched my committee dash
up the stairs, I knew that their quest would be rewarded.
(17:19):
When the committee and the writer returned to the lodge room,
a mechanic was required to pry open the box. There
lay the identical handkerchief furnished by my spectators, who could
hardly believe their eyes. On other occasions, I have asked
my audience to select the spokesman, who, in allowed voice
woul announced the point at which the handkerchiefs would be found.
And then my man, waiting just outside the door, would
(17:40):
mount his bicycle and pedal like mad for the hiding place. Naturally,
outstripping any committee appointed. But the first method, that of
selecting the place beforehand and having all arrangements made even
to the three prepared cards, is the safest and is
probably the one used by Robert Houdin to deceive the
French monarch. I doubt if he had three different card
prepared as he claims. I believe he exaggerated his feet,
(18:03):
for that would have been taking long chances.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
For this trick.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
I claimed not an iota of originality. I simply fitted
it to the.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Time, the place, and the audience.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
And that I believe, as all Robert Hadan did when
he invented the spring handkerchief trick for the amusement of
his sovereign
Speaker 2 (18:23):
End of Section ten
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